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ELIZABETH TWP, Allegheny County — One play doesn't particularly decide a football game, but it sure can affect how the remainder of it is approached.
Late in the first half of its WPIAL Class 3A quarterfinal playoff matchup with Freeport, Elizabeth Forward lined up to punt at the Yellowjackets' 33-yard line. Rather, the hosts' Charlie Nigut took the long snap and wheeled to his left, picking up 18 yards and a fresh set of downs before he was caught.
Having amounted to nothing on its first four possessions against Freeport's defense, the Warriors had rolled the dice. The payoff came three snaps later, when Devontay Brownfield crashed into the end zone, tacking the game's first points onto the Warrior Stadium scoreboard.
It was a lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Yellowjackets' season would ultimately come to a close in a 14-6 defeat.
“We really do pride ourselves on our special teams,” Elizabeth Forward coach Matt Collodi said. “We work a ton, but it pays off. Tonight, they got to see that.”
Despite moving the ball only 94 yards, the 'Jackets didn't go without chances in the first two quarters.
They began their opening drive in plus territory, but came up empty after going for it on fourth down.
They drove far enough for Vincent Clark to try a 42-yard field goal as time ran out on the half, but it sailed wide right.
“They (Elizabeth Forward) were just big up front,” Gaillot said. “It was difficult to move the ball. We threw everything at them and the (Warriors) might have flinched a bit, but they are a very good team.”
Freeport's Jacksen Reiser would force a fumble early in the third quarter, but the offense was overpowered into losses of nine and five yards on the two snaps following the takeaway, all but killing the venture.
Freeport (6-5) would catch a break later in the frame, though, when a snap was fired too high for the punter Nigut to reach. Reiser tracked him down and gave the ball to his team at the Warriors' 17. Shane Jack would punch it in three plays later, but Clark's PAT missed the mark.
The Warriors (9-2) struck again on the ensuing march, with quarterback Zion White getting in from a yard out. Zach Clark's interception later in the fourth quarter provided a glimmer of hope and good field position, but Elizabeth Forward's defense stood tall.
“Our defense responded,” Collodi said. “If something happens, it's 'So what? Now what?' We don't let one bad play beat us twice.”
The Warriors had scored at least 35 points in each of their previous seven games. They move on to face Central Valley in the semifinals.
“For it to be 14-6, that's attributed to (our defense),” Gaillot said. “(The Warriors) are used to getting 30, 40 points.
“Hats off to our players. All year, they didn't back down from anybody. I'm just so proud of the effort.”
Freeport 0 0 6 0 — 6
Eliz. Forward 0 7 0 7 — 14
Second Quarter
EF - Davontay Brownfield 7 run (Ethan Callaghan kick), 1:10
Third Quarter
F - Shane Jack 2 run (kick failed), 2:18
Fourth Quarter
EF - Zion White 1 run (Callaghan kick), 10:22
Individual Statistics
Rushing: Freeport, Ben Lane 9-58, Shane Jack 6-21, Brady Stivenson 1-11, Garrett King 2-3, Zach Clark 4-(-1), TEAM 2-(-14). Elizabeth Forward, Davontay Brownfield 22-152, Kyle Flournoy 9-37, Charlie Nigut 4-21, Zion White 4-18, Zach Boyd 1-5, TEAM 2-(-2).
Passing: Freeport, Ben Lane 3-12-36-0, Garrett King 3-6-22-0. Elizabeth Forward, Zion White 6-13-55-2.
Receiving: Freeport, Garrett King 1-24, Vincent Clark 3-22, Ben Lane 1-6, Gavin Croney 1-6. Elizabeth Forward, Charlie Nigut 2-24, Kel Rush 1-16, Ryder Collins 1-13, Davontay Brownfield 1-3, Kyle Flournoy: 1-(-1).
